Dental care tips

Emergency Dentist Edmonton

A dental emergency can be described as an injury to your teeth, gums or mouth that needs professional attention. A dental emergency can occur anytime and must not be ignored as it poses severe risks. Most dentists provide emergency dental care services to cater to immediate dental needs. There are several situations that count as dental emergencies. While you cannot treat them at home, there are certain emergency dental care tips that help you manage dental emergencies until you see your dentist.

Knocked-Out ToothA knocked-out or broken tooth is a severe dental emergency that requires immediate attention. While you must rush to the dentist, the following tips help you manage the issue until you get to the dentist.

Pick the tooth from the crown (top) and do not touch the roots of the tooth.

Rinse the broken tooth gently to thoroughly clean it. Make sure you place a washcloth in the sink to avoid the tooth from going down the drain.

If possible, gently place the tooth back in the socket. If not, place it in a clean container or a glass of milk.

A knocked-out tooth cannot be treated at home, hence, it is best to see your dentist ASAP. Waiting for long or neglecting a visit to the dentist might lead to additional dental issues.

Loose ToothIf you have a loose tooth, it is a dental emergency that needs immediate and professional attention. However, until you see the dentist, you can try to gently push the tooth back in its original position by applying mild pressure. Your dentist might suggest splinting or joining the tooth to the adjacent teeth to stabilize and get it back to position.

Chipped, Cracked or Fractured ToothNot all chipped and fractured teeth need immediate attention. Usually, a chipped tooth that doesn’t hurt can be treated in regular dental office hours. However, caution must be taken to not chip it more. The dentist usually polishes the chip out or adds a composite filling.

A cracked or fractured tooth is a severe dental issue, constituting a dental emergency. You will require an X-ray so that the dentist is able to diagnose the condition and treat it accordingly. The dentist might suggest a root canal treatment or a crown, depending on the condition. In severe cases, the dentist might have to remove the tooth. In such cases, dental implants and bridges are ways to replace missing tooth. While you must see your dentist immediately, you must implement these steps until you get to the dentist.

Clean your mouth by gently rinsing it with warm water.

Apply a cold compress on the facial area to minimize any swelling.

You may take acetaminophen (not aspirin) to minimize the pain.

Painkillers are a complete no, as they burn the gum tissue.

Tissue Injury and Facial PainAny type of injury inside your mouth, such as lacerations and tears to lips, cheeks, mouth, and tongue are considered tissue injuries, and are dental emergencies. If you face a tissue injury, you must clean the area with warm water and rush to the dentist. Any facial pain can be alleviated by taking acetaminophen. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin as they lead to excessive bleeding. Apart from these measures, you must seek emergency dental care services immediately.

We still haven’t covered all the dental emergencies that you’re likely to face. Stay tuned for our next post which will cover several other dental emergencies.

We are here to help you, any time, any day. When your dental health is at risk, we will do everything we can to make sure that you're treated as soon as possible. While dental emergencies are rare, they can happen, and it's important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what. ​Dental emergencies can be quite frightening and often painful. Without prompt treatment, the pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse and dental issues can become seriously affect overall health and well-being. Prompt treatment is almost always required to relieve pain, to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival, and to avoid further dental and medical complications.

What is a dental emergency?Dental emergencies can have many causes, including accidents, sports-related injuries, tooth decay and infection. You may have a dental emergency if you have any of the following:

a traumatic injury to your mouth, jaw or teeth

severe pain that you cannot control with over-the-counter pain medication